Table of Contents

 

 

 

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 


 

FORM 10-Q

 

(Mark One)

 

x   Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011

 

o Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the transition period from              to              .

 

Commission file number:  333-107569-03

 

Arch Western Resources, LLC

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

Delaware

 

43-1811130

(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)

 

 

 

One CityPlace Drive, Suite 300, St. Louis, Missouri

 

63141

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (314) 994-2700

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.  (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer o

 

Accelerated filer o

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer x

 

Smaller reporting company o

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No T

 

At November 14, 2011, the registrant’s common equity consisted solely of undenominated membership interests, 99.5% of which were held by Arch Western Acquisition Corporation and 0.5% of which were held by a subsidiary of BP p.l.c.

 

 

 



Table of Contents

 

Table of Contents

 

 

 

Page

 

 

 

Part I FINANCIAL INFORMATION

1

Item 1.

Financial Statements

1

Item 2.

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

16

Item 3.

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

21

Item 4.

Controls and Procedures

21

Part II OTHER INFORMATION

21

Item 1.

Legal Proceedings

21

Item 1A.

Risk Factors

21

Item 2.

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

21

Item 3.

Defaults Upon Senior Securities

22

Item 4.

Reserved

22

Item 5.

Other Information

22

Item 6.

Exhibits

23

 

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Table of Contents

 

PART 1

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements.

 

Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

547,347

 

$

550,198

 

$

1,647,384

 

$

1,504,523

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs, expenses and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of sales

 

448,681

 

445,814

 

1,319,711

 

1,239,893

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

38,532

 

39,756

 

118,631

 

123,883

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

3,802

 

10,038

 

15,349

 

26,005

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

8,693

 

8,172

 

26,328

 

27,421

 

Other operating income, net

 

(909

)

(1,093

)

(4,644

)

(3,597

)

 

 

498,799

 

502,687

 

1,475,375

 

1,413,605

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

48,548

 

47,511

 

172,009

 

90,918

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest income (expense), net:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

(10,115

)

(15,892

)

(31,064

)

(50,966

)

Interest income, primarily from Arch Coal, Inc.

 

13,913

 

13,714

 

40,035

 

39,732

 

 

 

3,798

 

(2,178

)

8,971

 

(11,234

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other non-operating expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss resulting from early retirement from debt

 

 

(6,776

)

 

(6,776

)

 

 

 

(6,776

)

 

(6,776

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

52,346

 

$

38,557

 

$

180,980

 

$

72,908

 

Net income attributable to redeemable membership interest

 

$

231

 

$

181

 

$

822

 

$

325

 

Net income attributable to non-redeemable membership interest

 

$

52,115

 

$

38,376

 

$

180,158

 

$

72,583

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands)

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and equivalents

 

$

100,139

 

$

79,817

 

Receivables

 

3,485

 

2,015

 

Receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.

 

465,646

 

582,384

 

Inventories

 

172,767

 

150,419

 

Other

 

16,588

 

21,435

 

Total current assets

 

758,625

 

836,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

1,445,059

 

1,488,843

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.

 

1,140,084

 

910,797

 

Other

 

13,345

 

10,920

 

Total other assets

 

1,153,429

 

921,717

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total assets

 

$

3,357,113

 

$

3,246,630

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND MEMBERSHIP INTERESTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

107,974

 

$

121,670

 

Accrued expenses

 

145,781

 

153,141

 

Commercial paper

 

 

56,904

 

Total current liabilities

 

253,755

 

331,715

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

451,133

 

451,618

 

Note payable to Arch Coal, Inc.

 

225,000

 

225,000

 

Accrued retirement obligations

 

308,326

 

301,355

 

Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension

 

23,302

 

23,509

 

Accrued pension benefits

 

9,667

 

23,904

 

Accrued workers’ compensation

 

6,705

 

6,102

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

53,062

 

36,913

 

Total liabilities

 

1,330,950

 

1,400,116

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Redeemable membership interest

 

11,261

 

10,444

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-redeemable membership interest

 

2,014,902

 

1,836,070

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total liabilities and membership interests

 

$

3,357,113

 

$

3,246,630

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(unaudited)

 

OPERATING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

180,980

 

$

72,908

 

Adjustments to reconcile to cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

118,631

 

123,883

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

15,349

 

26,005

 

Net loss resulting from early retirement of debt

 

 

6,776

 

Amortization relating to financing activities

 

377

 

790

 

Changes in:

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables

 

(1,470

)

6,145

 

Inventories

 

(22,348

)

24,772

 

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

 

(21,032

)

12,142

 

Other

 

13,375

 

49,739

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by operating activities

 

283,862

 

323,160

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

INVESTING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

(75,123

)

(66,828

)

Change in receivable from Arch Coal, Inc.

 

(127,649

)

75,383

 

Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment

 

124

 

74

 

Additions to prepaid royalties

 

(3,972

)

(2,835

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

(206,620

)

5,794

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

FINANCING ACTIVITIES

 

 

 

 

 

Payments to retire debt

 

 

(505,627

)

Loan from Arch Coal, Inc.

 

 

225,000

 

Net proceeds from (repayments on) commercial paper

 

(56,904

)

6,264

 

Debt financing costs

 

(16

)

(390

)

Contribution from non-redeemable membership interest

 

 

891

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash used in financing activities

 

(56,920

)

(273,862

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

20,322

 

55,092

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

79,817

 

6,819

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

100,139

 

$

61,911

 

 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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Arch Western Resources, LLC and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

 

1.  Basis of Presentation

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Arch Western Resources, LLC and its subsidiaries and controlled entities (the “Company”).  Arch Coal, Inc. (“Arch Coal”) has a 99.5% common membership interest in the Company, while BP p.l.c. has a 0.5% common membership interest and a preferred membership interest in the Company.  The terms of the Company’s membership agreement grant a put right to BP p.l.c., where BP p.l.c. may require Arch Coal to purchase its membership interest. The terms of the agreement state that the price of the membership interest shall be determined by mutual agreement between the members. Intercompany transactions and accounts have been eliminated in consolidation.

 

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for interim financial reporting and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission regulations.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting of normal, recurring accruals considered necessary for a fair presentation, have been included. Results of operations for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year ending December 31, 2011.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and related notes as of and for the year ended December 31, 2010 included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2.  Accounting Policies

 

There are no new accounting pronouncements whose adoption is expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

3.  Debt

 

On June 14, 2011, the Company terminated its commercial paper placement program and the supporting credit facility.

 

4.  Inventories

 

Inventories consist of the following:

 

 

 

September 30,

 

December 31,

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Coal

 

$

64,024

 

$

46,464

 

Repair parts and supplies, net of allowance

 

108,743

 

103,955

 

 

 

$

172,767

 

$

150,419

 

 

The repair parts and supplies are stated net of an allowance for slow-moving and obsolete inventories of $12.5 million at September 30, 2011, and $11.7 million at December 31, 2010.

 

5.  Fair Values of Financial Instruments

 

The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:

 

Cash and cash equivalents:  At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents approximate fair value.

 

Debt:  The fair value of the Company’s debt, excluding intercompany debt, was $449.4 million and $512.5 million at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Fair values are based upon observed prices in active markets.

 

6.  Comprehensive Income

 

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other comprehensive income.  Other comprehensive income items are transactions recorded in membership interests during the year, excluding net income and transactions with members.

 

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Table of Contents

 

The following table presents the components of comprehensive income:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Net income

 

$

52,346

 

$

38,557

 

$

180,980

 

$

72,908

 

Other comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension, postretirement and other post-employment benefitsreclassifications into net income

 

(420

)

(425

)

(1,259

)

(1,276

)

Total comprehensive income

 

$

51,926

 

$

38,132

 

$

179,721

 

$

71,632

 

 

7.  Related Party Transactions

 

Transactions with Arch Coal may not be at arm’s length.  If the transactions were negotiated with an unrelated party, the impact could be material to the Company’s results of operations.

 

The Company’s cash transactions are managed by Arch Coal. Cash paid to or from the Company that is not considered a distribution or a contribution is recorded in an Arch Coal receivable account. In addition, any amounts owed between the Company and Arch Coal, exclusive of borrowings under the intercompany credit agreement, are recorded in the account. At September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the receivable from Arch Coal was approximately $1.6 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively. This amount earns interest from Arch Coal at the prime interest rate. Interest earned on the note was $13.9 million and $13.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $40.0 million and $39.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The current portion of the receivable balance at September 30, 2011 and December 31, 2010, represents the amounts needed to fund working capital and contractual purchase, service and lease obligations due within the next twelve months.

 

During September of 2010, the Company received a loan of $225.0 million and a repayment of a portion of the balance receivable from Arch Coal to redeem $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 6.75% senior notes at a redemption price of 101.125%. Interest incurred on the loan was $1.5 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and $4.7 million and $0.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively.

 

The Company is a party to Arch Coal’s accounts receivable securitization program. Under the program, the Company sells its receivables to Arch Coal without recourse at a discount based on the prime rate and days sales outstanding. During the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company sold $409.5 million and $442.3 million, respectively, of trade accounts receivable to Arch Coal at a discount of $0.8 million and $1.0 million, respectively. During the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company sold $1.2 billion and $1.3 billion, respectively, of trade accounts receivable to Arch Coal at a discount of $2.7 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

 

For the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company incurred production royalties of $25.2 million and $27.0 million, respectively, under sublease agreements with Arch Coal. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, the Company incurred production royalties of $74.8 million and $65.9 million, respectively, under sublease agreements with Arch Coal.

 

The Company is charged selling, general and administrative services fees by Arch Coal. Expenses are allocated based on Arch Coal’s best estimates of proportional or incremental costs, whichever is more representative of costs incurred by Arch Coal on behalf of the Company. Amounts allocated to the Company by Arch Coal were $8.7 million and $8.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively and $26.3 million and $27.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Such amounts are reported as selling, general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income.

 

8.  Contingencies

 

The Company is a party to numerous claims and lawsuits with respect to various matters. The Company provides for costs related to contingencies when a loss is probable and the amount is reasonably determinable. After conferring with counsel, it is the opinion of management that the ultimate resolution of pending claims will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

 

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Table of Contents

 

9.  Segment Information

 

The Company has two reportable business segments, which are based on the major low-sulfur coal basins in which the Company operates. Both of these reportable business segments include a number of mine complexes. The Company manages its coal sales by coal basin, not by individual mine complex. Geology, coal transportation routes to customers, regulatory environments and coal quality are generally consistent within a basin. Accordingly, market and contract pricing have developed by coal basin. Mine operations are evaluated based on their per-ton operating costs (defined as including all mining costs but excluding pass-through transportation expenses), as well as on other non-financial measures, such as safety and environmental performance. The Company’s reportable segments are the Powder River Basin (PRB) segment, with operations in Wyoming, and the Western Bituminous (WBIT) segment, with operations in Utah, Colorado and southern Wyoming.

 

Operating segment results for the three month and nine month periods ended September 30, 2011 and 2010 are presented below. Results for the operating segments include all direct costs of mining. Corporate, Other and Eliminations includes primarily corporate overhead and other support functions.

 

The asset amounts below represent an allocation of assets used in the segments’ cash-generating activities. The amounts in the Corporate, Other and Eliminations represent primarily intercompany receivables.

 

 

 

PRB

 

WBIT

 

Corporate,
Other and
Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

378,552

 

$

168,795

 

$

 

$

547,347

 

Income from operations

 

30,797

 

25,850

 

(8,099

)

48,548

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

20,435

 

18,097

 

 

38,532

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

3,802

 

 

 

3,802

 

Capital expenditures

 

19,674

 

16,111

 

 

35,785

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended September 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

412,165

 

$

138,033

 

$

 

$

550,198

 

Income from operations

 

39,450

 

15,190

 

(7,129

)

47,511

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

21,752

 

18,004

 

 

39,756

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

10,038

 

 

 

10,038

 

Capital expenditures

 

7,922

 

20,703

 

 

28,625

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2011

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

1,133,996

 

$

513,388

 

$

 

$

1,647,384

 

Income from operations

 

98,153

 

96,414

 

(22,558

)

172,009

 

Total assets

 

1,079,357

 

640,465

 

1,637,291

 

3,357,113

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

59,534

 

59,097

 

 

118,631

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

15,349

 

 

 

15,349

 

Capital expenditures

 

37,121

 

38,002

 

 

75,123

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine months ended September 30, 2010

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

1,101,700

 

$

402,823

 

$

 

$

1,504,523

 

Income from operations

 

74,311

 

41,500

 

(24,893

)

90,918

 

Total assets

 

1,037,767

 

649,791

 

1,473,960

 

3,161,518

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

67,452

 

56,431

 

 

123,883

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

26,005

 

 

 

26,005

 

Capital expenditures

 

12,321

 

54,507

 

 

66,828

 

 

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Table of Contents

 

A reconciliation of segment income from operations to consolidated net income is presented below.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(In thousands)

 

Income from operations

 

$

48,548

 

$

47,511

 

$

172,009

 

$

90,918

 

Interest expense

 

(10,115

)

(15,892

)

(31,064

)

(50,966

)

Interest income

 

13,913

 

13,714

 

40,035

 

39,732

 

Net loss resulting from early retirement of debt

 

 

(6,776

)

 

(6,776

)

Net income

 

$

52,346

 

$

38,557

 

$

180,980

 

$

72,908

 

 

10.  Supplemental Condensed Consolidating Financial Information

 

Pursuant to the indenture governing the Arch Western Finance senior notes, certain wholly-owned subsidiaries of the Company have fully and unconditionally guaranteed the senior notes on a joint and several basis. The following tables present condensed consolidating financial information for (i) the Company, (ii) the issuer of the senior notes (Arch Western Finance, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company), (iii) the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiaries (Thunder Basin Coal Company, LLC, Mountain Coal Company, LLC, and Arch of Wyoming, LLC), on a combined basis, which are guarantors under the Notes, and (iv) the Company’s majority-owned subsidiary, Canyon Fuel LLC, which is not a guarantor under the Notes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

 

$

444,986

 

$

102,361

 

$

 

$

547,347

 

Cost of sales

 

(2,115

)

 

375,025

 

75,771

 

 

448,681

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

 

28,160

 

10,372

 

 

38,532

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

 

 

3,802

 

 

 

3,802

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

8,693

 

 

 

 

 

8,693

 

Other operating income, net

 

(87

)

 

(873

)

51

 

 

(909

)

 

 

6,491

 

 

406,114

 

86,194

 

 

498,799

 

Income from investment in subsidiaries

 

54,789

 

 

 

 

(54,789

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

48,298

 

 

38,872

 

16,167

 

(54,789

)

48,548

 

Interest expense

 

(9,850

)

(7,688

)

 

(170

)

7,593

 

(10,115

)

Interest income

 

13,898

 

7,593

 

 

15

 

(7,593

)

13,913

 

 

 

4,048

 

(95

)

 

(155

)

 

3,798

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

52,346

 

$

(95

)

$

38,872

 

$

16,012

 

$

(54,789

)

$

52,346

 

 

8



Table of Contents

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

 

$

451,092

 

$

99,106

 

$

 

$

550,198

 

Cost of sales

 

(995

)

 

368,282

 

78,527

 

 

445,814

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

 

28,664

 

11,092

 

 

39,756

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

 

 

10,038

 

 

 

10,038

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

8,172

 

 

 

 

 

8,172

 

Other operating income, net

 

(47

)

 

(782

)

(264

)

 

(1,093

)

 

 

7,130

 

 

406,202

 

89,355

 

 

502,687

 

Income from investment in subsidiaries

 

46,881

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(46,881

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

39,751

 

 

44,890

 

9,751

 

(46,881

)

47,511

 

Interest expense

 

(14,779

)

(14,132

)

 

(199

)

13,218

 

(15,892

)

Interest income

 

13,585

 

13,218

 

100

 

29

 

(13,218

)

13,714

 

 

 

(1,194

)

(914

)

100

 

(170

)

 

(2,178

)

Other nonoperating expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss resulting from early extinguishment of debt

 

 

(6,776

)

 

 

 

(6,776

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

38,557

 

$

(7,690

)

$

44,990

 

$

9,581

 

$

(46,881

)

$

38,557

 

 

9



Table of Contents

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,355,328

 

$

292,056

 

$

 

$

1,647,384

 

Cost of sales

 

(2,331

)

 

1,111,216

 

210,826

 

 

1,319,711

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

 

86,296

 

32,335

 

 

118,631

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

 

 

15,349

 

 

 

15,349

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

26,328

 

 

 

 

 

26,328

 

Other operating income, net

 

(1,455

)

 

(2,635

)

(554

)

 

(4,644

)

 

 

22,542

 

 

1,210,226

 

242,607

 

 

1,475,375

 

Income from investment in subsidiaries

 

193,823

 

 

 

 

(193,823

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

171,281

 

 

145,102

 

49,449

 

(193,823

)

172,009

 

Interest expense

 

(30,288

)

(23,063

)

 

(494

)

22,781

 

(31,064

)

Interest income

 

39,987

 

22,781

 

 

48

 

(22,781

)

40,035

 

 

 

9,699

 

(282

)

 

(446

)

 

8,971

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

180,980

 

$

(282

)

$

145,102

 

$

49,003

 

$

(193,823

)

$

180,980

 

 

10



Table of Contents

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenues

 

$

 

$

 

$

1,216,688

 

$

287,835

 

$

 

$

1,504,523

 

Cost of sales

 

(2,116

)

 

1,018,475

 

226,098

 

(2,564

)

1,239,893

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

 

 

87,358

 

36,525

 

 

123,883

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net

 

 

 

26,005

 

 

 

26,005

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

27,421

 

 

 

 

 

27,421

 

Other operating income, net

 

(412

)

 

(2,314

)

(3,435

)

2,564

 

(3,597

)

 

 

24,893

 

 

1,129,524

 

259,188

 

 

1,413,605

 

Income from investment in subsidiaries

 

107,456

 

 

 

 

(107,456

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income from operations

 

82,563

 

 

87,164

 

28,647

 

(107,456

)

90,918

 

Interest expense

 

(49,030

)

(46,592

)

 

(625

)

45,281

 

(50,966

)

Interest income

 

39,375

 

45,281

 

287

 

70

 

(45,281

)

39,732

 

 

 

(9,655

)

(1,311

)

287

 

(555

)

 

(11,234

)

Other nonoperating expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss resulting from early retirement of debt

 

 

(6,776

)

 

 

 

(6,776

)

Net income (loss)

 

$

72,908

 

$

(8,087

)

$

87,451

 

$

28,092

 

$

(107,456

)

$

72,908

 

 

11



Table of Contents

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

September 30, 2011

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent Company

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

 

$

 

$

100,073

 

$

66

 

$

 

$

100,139

 

Receivables

 

1,538

 

 

967

 

980

 

 

3,485

 

Receivable from Arch Coal

 

465,646

 

 

 

 

 

465,646

 

Intercompanies

 

(448,513

)

7,594

 

323,718

 

117,201

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

 

116,591

 

56,176

 

 

172,767

 

Other

 

3,450

 

1,019

 

6,170

 

5,949

 

 

16,588

 

Total current assets

 

22,121

 

8,613

 

547,519

 

180,372

 

 

758,625

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

1,186,750

 

258,324

 

(15

)

1,445,059

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

2,990,755

 

 

 

 

(2,990,755

)

 

Receivable from Arch Coal

 

1,118,520

 

 

 

21,564

 

 

1,140,084

 

Intercompanies

 

(1,862,475

)

455,386

 

1,177,272

 

229,817

 

 

 

Other

 

1,236

 

756

 

7,117

 

4,236

 

 

13,345

 

Total other assets

 

2,248,036

 

456,142

 

1,184,389

 

255,617

 

(2,990,755

)

1,153,429

 

Total assets

 

$

2,270,157

 

$

464,755

 

$

2,918,658

 

$

694,313

 

$

(2,990,770

)

$

3,357,113

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

15,848

 

$

 

$

76,673

 

$

15,453

 

$

 

$

107,974

 

Accrued expenses

 

2,823

 

7,594

 

125,166

 

10,198

 

 

145,781

 

Total current liabilities

 

18,671

 

7,594

 

201,839

 

25,651

 

 

253,755

 

Long-term debt

 

 

451,133

 

 

 

 

451,133

 

Note payable to Arch Coal

 

225,000

 

 

 

 

 

225,000

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

 

296,685

 

11,641

 

 

308,326

 

Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension

 

4,013

 

 

10,596

 

8,693

 

 

23,302

 

Accrued pension benefits

 

(5,982

)

 

5,548

 

10,101

 

 

9,667

 

Accrued workers’ compensation

 

209

 

 

2,376

 

4,120

 

 

6,705

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

2,068

 

 

50,912

 

82

 

 

53,062

 

Total liabilities

 

243,979

 

458,727

 

567,956

 

60,288

 

 

1,330,950

 

Redeemable membership interest

 

11,261

 

 

 

 

 

11,261

 

Non-redeemable membership interest

 

2,014,917

 

6,028

 

2,350,702

 

634,025

 

(2,990,770

)

2,014,902

 

Total liabilities and membership interests

 

$

2,270,157

 

$

464,755

 

$

2,918,658

 

$

694,313

 

$

(2,990,770

)

$

3,357,113

 

 

12



Table of Contents

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

December 31, 2010

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Eliminations

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

1,613

 

$

 

$

78,070

 

$

134

 

$

 

$

79,817

 

Receivables

 

1,033

 

 

663

 

319

 

 

2,015

 

Receivable from Arch Coal

 

582,384

 

 

 

 

 

582,384

 

Intercompanies

 

(519,808

)

15,188

 

341,981

 

162,639

 

 

 

Inventories

 

 

 

104,394

 

46,025

 

 

150,419

 

Other

 

10,096

 

1,015

 

4,129

 

6,195

 

 

21,435

 

Total current assets

 

75,318

 

16,203

 

529,237

 

215,312

 

 

836,070

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

 

1,223,493

 

265,350

 

 

1,488,843

 

Investment in subsidiaries

 

2,789,637

 

 

 

 

(2,789,637

)

 

Receivable from Arch Coal

 

888,306

 

 

 

22,491

 

 

910,797

 

Intercompanies

 

(1,609,147

)

455,401

 

1,023,119

 

130,627

 

 

 

Other

 

1,402

 

1,511

 

3,802

 

4,205

 

 

10,920

 

Total other assets

 

2,070,198

 

456,912

 

1,026,921

 

157,323

 

(2,789,637

)

921,717

 

Total assets

 

$

2,145,516

 

$

473,115

 

$

2,779,651

 

$

637,985

 

$

(2,789,637

)

$

3,246,630

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

$

2,604

 

$

 

$

102,290

 

$

16,776

 

$

 

$

121,670

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

5,714

 

15,188

 

122,473

 

9,766

 

 

153,141

 

Commercial paper

 

56,904

 

 

 

 

 

56,904

 

Total current liabilities

 

65,222

 

15,188

 

224,763

 

26,542

 

 

331,715

 

Long-term debt

 

 

451,618

 

 

 

 

451,618

 

Note payable to Arch Coal

 

225,000

 

 

 

 

 

225,000

 

Asset retirement obligations

 

 

 

290,473

 

10,882

 

 

301,355

 

Accrued postretirement benefits other than pension

 

3,629

 

 

11,571

 

8,309

 

 

23,509

 

Accrued pension benefits

 

3,342

 

 

11,962

 

8,600

 

 

23,904

 

Accrued workers’ compensation

 

(94

)

 

2,042

 

4,154

 

 

6,102

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

1,903

 

 

34,930

 

80

 

 

36,913

 

Total liabilities

 

299,002

 

466,806

 

575,741

 

58,567

 

 

1,400,116

 

Redeemable membership interest

 

10,444

 

 

 

 

 

10,444

 

Non-redeemable membership interest

 

1,836,070

 

6,309

 

2,203,910

 

579,418

 

(2,789,637

)

1,836,070

 

Total liabilities and membership interests

 

$

2,145,516

 

$

473,115

 

$

2,779,651

 

$

637,985

 

$

(2,789,637

)

$

3,246,630

 

 

13



Table of Contents

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

(13,266

)

$

(7,593

)

$

226,199

 

$

78,522

 

$

283,862

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

(49,503

)

(25,620

)

(75,123

)

Change in receivable from Arch Coal

 

(128,576

)

 

 

927

 

(127,649

)

Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

69

 

55

 

124

 

Additions to prepaid royalties

 

 

 

(3,772

)

(200

)

(3,972

)

Cash used in investing activities

 

(128,576

)

 

(53,206

)

(24,838

)

(206,620

)

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net repayments on commercial paper

 

(56,904

)

 

 

 

(56,904

)

Debt financing costs

 

 

(16

)

 

 

(16

)

Transactions with affiliates, net

 

197,133

 

7,609

 

(150,990

)

(53,752

)

 

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

140,229

 

7,593

 

(150,990

)

(53,752

)

(56,920

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(1,613

)

 

22,003

 

(68

)

20,322

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

1,613

 

 

78,070

 

134

 

79,817

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

 

$

 

$

100,073

 

$

66

 

$

100,139

 

 

14



Table of Contents

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

(unaudited)

 

 

 

Parent
Company

 

Issuer

 

Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries

 

Consolidated

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash provided by (used in) operating activities

 

$

(30,882

)

(25,220

)

$

310,083

 

$

69,179

 

$

323,160

 

Investing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

 

(49,664

)

(17,164

)

(66,828

)

Change in receivable from Arch Coal, Inc

 

60,905

 

 

 

14,478

 

75,383

 

Proceeds from dispositions of property, plant and equipment

 

 

 

45

 

29

 

74

 

Additions to prepaid royalties

 

 

 

(2,509

)

(326

)

(2,835

)

Cash provided by (used in) investing activities

 

60,905

 

 

(52,128

)

(2,983

)

5,794

 

Financing Activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Payments to retire debt

 

 

(505,627

)

 

 

(505,627

)

Loan from Arch Coal, Inc

 

225,000

 

 

 

 

225,000

 

Net proceeds from commercial paper

 

6,264

 

 

 

 

6,264

 

Debt financing costs

 

(375

)

(15

)

 

 

(390

)

Contribution from non-redeemable membership interest

 

891

 

 

 

 

891

 

Transactions with affiliates, net

 

(266,748

)

530,862

 

(197,956

)

(66,158

)

 

Cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

(34,968

)

25,220

 

(197,956

)

(66,158

)

(273,862

)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

 

(4,945

)

 

59,999

 

38

 

55,092

 

Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

 

6,714

 

 

61

 

44

 

6,819

 

Cash and cash equivalents, end of period

 

$

1,769

 

$

 

$

60,060

 

$

82

 

$

61,911

 

 

15



Table of Contents

 

Item 2.           Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.

 

This document contains “forward-looking statements” — that is, statements related to future, not past, events.  In this context, forward-looking statements often address our expected future business and financial performance, and often contain words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” or “will.”  Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain.  For us, particular uncertainties arise from changes in the demand for our coal by the domestic electric generation industry; from legislation and regulations relating to the Clean Air Act and other environmental initiatives; from regulations relating to mine safety; from operational, geological, permit, labor and weather-related factors; from fluctuations in the amount of cash we generate from operations; from future integration of acquired businesses; and from numerous other matters of national, regional and global scale, including those of a political, economic, business, competitive or regulatory nature.  These uncertainties may cause our actual future results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements.  We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by law.  For a description of some of the risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results, see “Risk Factors” under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.

 

Overview

 

We are a subsidiary of Arch Coal, Inc., one of the world’s largest coal producers by volume. We sell substantially all of our coal to power plants and industrial facilities. Our two reportable business segments are based on the low-sulfur U.S. coal producing regions in which we operate — the Powder River Basin and the Western Bituminous region. These geographically distinct areas are characterized by geology, coal transportation routes to consumers, regulatory environments and coal quality. These regional similarities have caused market and contract pricing environments to develop by coal region and form the basis for the segmentation of our operations.

 

The Powder River Basin is located in northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana. The coal we mine from surface operations in this region is very low in sulfur content and has a low heat value compared to the other region in which we operate. The price of Powder River Basin coal is generally less than that of coal produced in other regions because Powder River Basin coal exists in greater abundance, is easier to mine and thus has a lower cost of production. In addition, Powder River Basin coal is generally lower in heat content, which requires some electric power generation facilities to blend it with higher Btu coal or retrofit some existing coal plants to accommodate lower Btu coal. The Western Bituminous region includes Colorado, Utah and southern Wyoming. Coal we mine from underground and surface mines in this region typically is low in sulfur content and varies in heat content.

 

Growth in global coal demand combined with coal supply constraints in many traditional coal exporting countries benefited coal pricing in the first nine months of 2011.  U.S. steam coal is migrating offshore to meet the continuing growth in global coal demand to fuel electricity generation.  In response to the global steam coal demand, we have expanded our seaborne sales.  Both of our operating segments are participating in the expansion of seaborne shipments, from ports on

 

16



Table of Contents

 

the West Coast as well through the Gulf of Mexico. We have provided additional information about the performance of our operating segments under the heading “Operating segment results”.

 

U.S. coal consumption has declined in 2011 due to strong contributions from other fuel sources, including higher hydroelectric power in the western U.S.  U.S. coal production in the first nine months of 2011 remained essentially flat versus the same period a year ago, according to MSHA data and company estimates.  U.S. stockpile levels have declined approximately 30% from peak levels reached in November 2009.  We estimate nationwide stockpiles reflected 55 days of supply at September 30, 2011, in line with the five-year average. We believe, however, that PRB-served power plant stockpiles were at below-normal levels, partly due to shipment disruptions in the region. Flooding of the Missouri and Mississippi rivers disrupted shipments in the Powder River Basin during the second and third quarters of 2011, resulting in a loss of shipments from our PRB operations.

 

On November 3, 2011, we announced that we would be scaling back production at our Dugout Canyon mine in Utah in response to weakness in demand for coal from that region.  We plan to suspend longwall operations at the end of the current panel in the first half of 2012.  The next potential longwall panel at Dugout Canyon has been developed and future decisions about production will be based on market conditions for Western Bituminous coal.

 

Results of Operations

 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2010

 

Summary. Our results improved during the third quarter of 2011 when compared to the third quarter of 2010 primarily due to lower financing-related costs.  The benefit from improved pricing conditions was offset by lower sales volumes.

 

Revenues.  The following table summarizes information about coal sales for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and compares it with the information for the three months ended September 30, 2010:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per ton data and percentages)

 

Revenues

 

$

547,347

 

$

550,198

 

$

(2,851

)

(0.5

)%

Tons Sold

 

32,277

 

38,785

 

(6,508

)

(16.8

)%

Coal sales realization per ton sold

 

$

16.96

 

$

14.19

 

$

2.77

 

19.5

%

 

Coal sales decreased slightly in the third quarter of 2011 from the third quarter of 2010, as higher pricing in both regions was offset by lower sales volumes in the Powder River Basin. We have provided more information about the tons sold and the coal sales realizations per ton by operating segment under the heading “Operating segment results”.

 

Costs, expenses and other.  The following table summarizes costs, expenses and other components of operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and compares them with the information for the three months ended September 30, 2010:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Income

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per ton data and percentages)

 

Cost of sales

 

$

448,681

 

$

445,814

 

$

(2,867

)

(0.6

)%

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

38,532

 

39,756

 

1,224

 

3.1

 

Sales contract amortization

 

3,802

 

10,038

 

6,236

 

62.1

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

8,693

 

8,172

 

(521

)

(6.4

)

Other operating income, net

 

(909

)

(1,093

)

(184

)

16.8

 

 

 

$

498,799

 

$

502,687

 

$

3,888

 

0.8

%

 

Cost of coal sales. Our cost of coal sales was flat in 2011 when compared with 2010 as the impact of lower sales volumes was offset by an increase in sales-sensitive and transportation costs, as a result of an increase in export shipments. We have provided more information about our operating segments’ performance and profitability under the heading “Operating segment results”.

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization. When compared with 2010, depreciation, depletion and amortization costs in 2011 decreased slightly from the impact of lower production and sales volumes on assets amortized or depleted on the basis of tons produced.

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net. Arch Coal acquired both above- and below-market sales contracts with a

 

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net fair value of $58.4 million with the Jacobs Ranch mining operation. The sales contracts were not contributed to us; however, the amortization of these acquired sales contracts is reflected in our results. The fair values of acquired sales contracts are amortized over the tons of coal shipped during the term of the contracts. The net remaining balance of acquired sales contracts to be amortized (including Jacob’s Ranch contracts on Arch Coal’s books) was $9.3 million at September 30, 2011.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses represent expenses allocated to us from Arch Coal. Expenses are allocated based on Arch Coal’s best estimates of proportional or incremental costs, whichever is more representative of costs incurred by Arch Coal on our behalf.

 

Operating segment results.  The following table shows results by operating segment for the three months ended September 30, 2011 and compares it with information for the three months ended September 30, 2010:

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Amount

 

%

 

Powder River Basin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons sold (in thousands)

 

28,044

 

34,762

 

(6,718

)

(19.3

)%

Coal sales realization per ton sold (1)

 

$

13.44

 

$

11.79

 

$

1.65

 

14.0

%

Operating margin per ton sold (2)

 

$

1.08

 

$

1.12

 

$

(0.04

)

(3.6

)%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Bituminous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons sold (in thousands)

 

4,233

 

4,024

 

209

 

5.2

%

Coal sales realization per ton sold (1)

 

$

32.50

 

$

30.66

 

$

1.84

 

6.0

%

Operating margin per ton sold (2)

 

$

6.08

 

$

3.70

 

$

2.38

 

64.3

%

 


(1)

Coal sales prices per ton exclude certain transportation costs that we pass through to our customers. We use these financial measures because we believe the amounts as adjusted better represent the coal sales prices we achieved within our operating segments. Since other companies may calculate coal sales prices per ton differently, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by those companies. For the three months ended September 30, 2011, transportation costs per ton were $0.06 for the Powder River Basin and $3.79 for the Western Bituminous region. For the three months ended September 30, 2010, transportation costs per ton were $0.07 for the Powder River Basin and $0.15 for the Western Bituminous region.

 

 

(2)

Operating margin per ton sold is calculated as coal sales revenues less cost of coal sales and depreciation, depletion and amortization divided by tons sold.

 

Powder River Basin — The slightly lower operating margin per ton sold in the Powder River Basin 2011 when compared with 2010 is the result of lower sales volumes and the resulting increase in per-ton production costs, partially offset by the impact of higher average coal sales realizations.  The lower sales volumes were primarily the result of the shipment disruptions from flooding in the Midwest, but the third quarter of 2010 was also a record production quarter for us in the PRB.  Higher per-ton costs were also impacted by higher diesel prices and sales-sensitive costs.

 

Western Bituminous — The improvement in per-ton operating margins in 2011 reflects higher sales volumes and improved pricing resulting from increased export shipments from our Colorado operations.  Effective cost control in the region and slightly higher production levels reduced our per-ton operating costs, which also contributed to the improved results in 2011.

 

Interest expense.     Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our 6.75% senior notes, the discount on trade accounts receivable sold to Arch Coal under Arch Coal’s accounts receivable securitization program, interest on commercial paper, and interest on the $225.0 million loan from Arch Coal. The decrease in the third quarter of 2011, when compared with 2010, is the result of the retirement of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 6.75% senior notes in September 2010.  The redemption was funded by a loan from Arch Coal of $225 million and a repayment of a portion of the balance receivable from Arch Coal.

 

Interest income.     Interest income primarily reflects the interest on the receivable balance from Arch Coal, which earns interest at the prime interest rate.

 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2011 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

 

Summary. Our improved results during the first nine months of 2011 when compared to the first nine months of 2010 were due primarily to higher average sales realizations.

 

Revenues.  The following table summarizes information about coal sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and compares it with the information for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 

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Table of Contents

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per ton data and percentages)

 

Revenues

 

$

1,647,384

 

$

1,504,523

 

$

142,861

 

9.5

%

Tons Sold

 

96,587

 

106,516

 

(9,929

)

(9.3

)%

Coal sales realization per ton sold

 

$

17.06

 

$

14.12

 

$

2.94

 

20.8

%

 

Coal sales increased in the first nine months of 2011 from the first nine months of 2010, due to higher pricing in both regions, partially offset by lower sales volumes in the Powder River Basin.  We have provided more information about the tons sold and the coal sales realizations per ton by operating segment under the heading “Operating segment results”.

 

Costs, expenses and other.  The following table summarizes costs, expenses and other components of operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and compares them with the information for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

Increase (Decrease) in Net Income

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Amount

 

%

 

 

 

(Amounts in thousands, except per ton data and percentages)

 

Cost of sales

 

$

1,319,711

 

$

1,239,893

 

$

(79,818

)

(6.4

)%

Depreciation, depletion and amortization

 

118,631

 

123,883

 

5,252

 

4.2

 

Sales contract amortization

 

15,349

 

26,005

 

10,656

 

41.0

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

26,328

 

27,421

 

1,093

 

4.0

 

Other operating income, net

 

(4,644

)

(3,597

)

1,047

 

(29.1

)

 

 

$

1,475,375

 

$

1,413,605

 

$

(61,770

)

(4.4

)%

 

Cost of coal sales. Our cost of coal sales increased in 2011 from 2010 primarily due to an increase in sales-sensitive costs and an increase in transportation costs, as a result of an increase in export shipments. We have provided more information about our operating segments’ performance and profitability under the heading “Operating segment results”.

 

Depreciation, depletion and amortization. When compared with 2010, lower depreciation, depletion and amortization costs in 2011 resulted primarily from the impact of lower production and sales volumes on assets amortized or depleted on the basis of tons produced.

 

Amortization of acquired sales contracts, net. Arch Coal acquired both above- and below-market sales contracts with a net fair value of $58.4 million with the Jacobs Ranch mining operation. The sales contracts were not contributed to us; however, the amortization of these acquired sales contracts is reflected in our results. The fair values of acquired sales contracts are amortized over the tons of coal shipped during the term of the contracts. The net remaining balance of acquired sales contracts to be amortized (including Jacob’s Ranch contracts on Arch Coal’s books) was $9.3 million at September 30, 2011.

 

Selling, general and administrative expenses.  Selling, general and administrative expenses represent expenses allocated to us from Arch Coal. Expenses are allocated based on Arch Coal’s best estimates of proportional or incremental costs, whichever is more representative of costs incurred by Arch Coal on our behalf.

 

Operating segment results.  The following table shows results by operating segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 and compares it with information for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

Increase (Decrease)

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

Amount

 

%

 

Powder River Basin

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons sold (in thousands)

 

83,446

 

94,370

 

(10,924

)

(11.6

)%

Coal sales realization per ton sold (1)

 

$

13.44

 

$

11.59

 

$

1.85

 

16.0

%

Operating margin per ton sold (2)

 

$

1.15

 

$

0.76

 

$

0.39

 

51.3

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Bituminous

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tons sold (in thousands)

 

13,141

 

12,146

 

995

 

8.2

%

Coal sales realization per ton sold (1)

 

$

32.36

 

$

29.90

 

$

2.46

 

8.2

%

Operating margin per ton sold (2)

 

$

7.28

 

$

3.13

 

$

4.15

 

132.6

%

 


(3)

Coal sales prices per ton exclude certain transportation costs that we pass through to our customers. We use these financial measures because we believe the amounts as adjusted better represent the coal sales prices we achieved within our operating segments. Since other companies may calculate coal sales prices per ton differently, our calculation may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by those companies. For the nine months ended September 30, 2011, transportation costs per ton were $0.15 for the Powder River Basin and $3.54 for the Western Bituminous region. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, transportation costs per ton were $0.07 for the Powder River Basin and $0.15 for the Western Bituminous region.

 

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Table of Contents

 

(4)

Operating margin per ton sold is calculated as coal sales revenues less cost of coal sales and depreciation, depletion and amortization divided by tons sold.

 

Powder River Basin — The operating margin per ton sold in the Powder River Basin was higher in 2011 than in 2010 due to higher average coal sales realizations, reflecting the improved coal markets. Lower sales volumes in the Powder River Basin in 2011 when compared with 2010 were primarily the result of our market-driven sales commitment approach in the Powder River Basin and the shipment disruptions from flooding in the Midwest in the second and third quarters of 2011.  Lower production volumes contributed to higher per-ton costs, which along with and higher per-ton production and sales-sensitive costs partially offset the benefit from the higher realizations.  Higher per-ton production costs were the result of higher labor, maintenance and diesel costs.

 

Western Bituminous — Improved per-ton operating margin reflects higher sales volumes and improved pricing resulting from increased export shipments for coal from our Colorado operations.  Effective cost control in the region and slightly higher production levels reduced our per-ton operating costs, which also contributed to the improved results during the first nine months of 2011, when compared with the first nine months of 2010, when two outages affected production at the Dugout Canyon mine.

 

Interest expense.       Interest expense consists primarily of interest on our 6.75% senior notes, the discount on trade accounts receivable sold to Arch Coal under Arch Coal’s accounts receivable securitization program, interest on commercial paper, and interest on the $225.0 million loan from Arch Coal. The decrease in 2011, when compared with 2010, is the result of the retirement of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the outstanding 6.75% senior notes in September 2010.  The redemption was funded by a loan from Arch Coal of $225 million and a repayment of a portion of the balance receivable from Arch Coal.

 

Interest income.       Interest income primarily reflects the interest on the receivable balance from Arch Coal, which earns interest at the prime interest rate.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Liquidity and capital resources

 

Our primary sources of cash are coal sales to customers and debt related to significant transactions. Excluding any significant business acquisitions, we generally satisfy our working capital requirements and fund capital expenditures and debt-service obligations with cash generated from operations, and if necessary, from Arch Coal. Arch Coal manages our cash transactions. Cash paid to or from us that is not considered a distribution or a contribution is recorded through a note receivable from Arch Coal, with exception of the borrowings under the intercompany credit agreement.

 

Our ability to satisfy debt service obligations, to fund planned capital expenditures and to make acquisitions will depend upon our future operating performance, which will be affected by prevailing economic conditions in the coal industry and financial, business and other factors, some of which are beyond our control.

 

On June 14, 2011, we terminated our commercial paper placement program and the supporting credit facility.

 

The following is a summary of cash provided by or used in each of the indicated types of activities:

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30

 

 

 

2011

 

2010

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

Cash provided by (used in):

 

 

 

 

 

Operating activities

 

$

283,862

 

$

323,160

 

Investing activities

 

(206,620

)

5,794

 

Financing activities

 

(56,920

)

(273,862

)

 

Cash provided by operating activities decreased in the nine months ended September 30, 2011 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2010, primarily as a result of an increased investment in working capital, primarily coal inventories, and a decrease in accounts payable in 2011.

 

Our investing activities consist primarily of capital spending and activity under the intercompany note receivable from Arch Coal. Cash used in investing activities of $206.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 was lower when compared to cash provided by investing activities of $5.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, primarily due to the amounts repaid on the intercompany note by Arch Coal in 2010 related to the redemption of our 6.75% Notes.

 

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Table of Contents

 

We used $56.9 million of cash in financing activities during the first nine months of 2011, compared to $273.9 million during the first nine months of 2010.  In 2010, Arch Coal made a loan to us in the amount of $225.0 million, which proceeds, along with the repayment of the intercompany note mentioned above, were used to fund the redemption on September 8, 2010 of $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of our outstanding 6.75% senior notes due in 2013 at a redemption price of 101.125%.

 

Critical Accounting Policies

 

For a description of our critical accounting policies, see “Critical Accounting Policies” under Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.  There were no significant changes to our critical accounting policies during the nine months ended September 30, 2011.

 

Item 3.            Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.

 

We manage our commodity price risk for our long-term coal contract portfolio through the use of long-term coal supply agreements, rather than through the use of derivative instruments. The majority of our tonnage is sold under long-term contracts. We are also exposed to price risk related to the value of sulfur dioxide emission allowances that are a component of quality adjustment provisions in many of our coal supply contracts. We manage this risk through the use of long-term coal supply agreements.

 

We are also exposed to the risk of fluctuations in cash flows related to our purchase of diesel fuel. We expect to use approximately 55 to 60 million gallons of diesel in our operations in 2012. Arch Coal enters into heating oil swaps and options to reduce volatility in the price of diesel fuel for our operations. The swap agreements essentially fix the price paid for diesel fuel by requiring us to pay a fixed heating oil price and receive a floating heating oil price. The call options protect against increases in diesel fuel by granting us the right to participate in increases in heating oil prices. The cash settlements related to these swaps and options are allocated to us through the Arch Coal intercompany account.

 

We are exposed to market risk associated with fluctuating interest rates on the notes payable to Arch Coal. A one percentage point increase in the interest rates related to these borrowings would result in an annualized increase in interest expense of $1.6 million, based on borrowing levels at September 30, 2011.

 

Item 4.            Controls and Procedures.

 

We performed an evaluation under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2011.  Based on that evaluation, our management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, concluded that the disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of such date.  There were no changes in internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our quarter ended September 30, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1.            Legal Proceedings

 

We are involved in various claims and legal actions in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, the outcome of such ordinary course of business proceedings and litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial results.

 

Item 1A.         Risk Factors.

 

Our business inherently involves certain risks and uncertainties.  The risks and uncertainties described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 are not the only ones we face.  Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations.  Should one or more of any of these risks materialize, our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity could be materially adversely affected.

 

Item 2.            Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.

 

None

 

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Table of Contents

 

Item 3.            Defaults Upon Senior Securities.

 

None

 

Item 4.            Reserved

 

Item 5.            Other Information.

 

We believe that we have some of the safest coal mining operations in the world. Safety is a core value at our parent company, Arch Coal, and at each of its subsidiary operations. We have in place a comprehensive safety program that includes extensive health & safety training for all employees, site inspections, emergency response preparedness, crisis communications training, incident investigation, regulatory compliance training and process auditing, as well as an open dialogue between all levels of employees. The goals of our processes are to eliminate exposure to hazards in the workplace, ensure that we comply with all mine safety regulations, and support regulatory and industry efforts to improve the health and safety of our employees along with the industry as a whole.

 

Under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act passed in 2010, each operator of a coal or other mine is required to include certain mine safety results in its periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The operation of our mines is subject to regulation by the federal Mine Safety and Health Administration (“MSHA”) under the Federal Mine Safety and Health Act of 1977 (the “Mine Act”). Below we present the following items regarding certain mine safety and health matters, broken down by mining complex owned and operated by Arch Western or our subsidiaries, for the three-month period ended September 30, 2011:

 

·

Section 104 Citations: Total number of violations of mandatory health or safety standards that could significantly and substantially contribute to the cause and effect of a coal or other mine safety or health hazard under section 104 of the Mine Act for which we have received a citation from MSHA;

·

Section 104(b) Orders: Total number of orders issued under section 104(b) of the Mine Act;

·

Section 104(d) Citations/Orders: Total number of citations and orders for unwarrantable failure of the mine operator to comply with mandatory health or safety standards under Section 104(d) of the Mine Act;

·

Section 107(a) Orders: Total number of imminent danger orders issued under section 107(a) of the Mine Act; and

·

Total Dollar Value of Proposed MSHA Assessments: Total dollar value of proposed assessments from MSHA under the Mine Act.

 

Mining complex(1)

 

Section 104
Citations

 

Section 104(b)
Orders

 

Section 104(d)
Citations/Orders

 

Section 107(a)
Orders

 

Total Dollar Value of
Proposed MSHA
Assessments
(in thousands)(2)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Power River Basin:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Black Thunder

 

 

 

 

 

 

Coal Creek

 

 

 

 

 

 

Western Bituminous:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Arch of Wyoming

 

1

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

Dugout Canyon

 

4

 

 

 

1

 

17.2

 

Skyline

 

4

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Sufco

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

West Elk

 

11

 

 

 

 

29.7

 

 


(1)                                  MSHA assigns an identification number to each coal mine and may or may not assign separate identification numbers to related facilities such as preparation plants.  We are providing the information in this table by mining complex rather than MSHA identification number because we believe this format will be more useful to investors than providing information based on MSHA identification numbers.  For descriptions of each of these mining operations please refer to the descriptions under Item 1. Business, in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2010.

 

(2)                                  Amounts included under the heading “Total Dollar Value of Proposed MSHA Assessments” are the total dollar amounts for proposed assessments received from MSHA on or before October 24, 2011, for citations and orders occurring during the three-month period ended September 30, 2011.

 

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Table of Contents

 

For the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, none of our mining complexes received written notice from MSHA of (i) a flagrant violation under section 110(b)(2) of the Mine Act; (ii) a pattern of violations of mandatory health or safety standards that are of such nature as could have significantly and substantially contributed to the cause and effect of coal or other mine health or safety hazards under section 104(e) of the Mine Act; or (iii) the potential to have such a pattern.  For the three-month period ended September 30, 2011, none of our mining complexes experienced a mining-related fatality.

 

As of September 30, 2011, we had a total of 55 matters pending before the Federal Mine Safety and Health Review Commission.  This includes legal actions that were initiated prior to the three-month period ended September 30, 2011 and which do not necessarily relate to the citations, orders or proposed assessments issued by MSHA during such three-month period.

 

In evaluating the above information regarding mine safety and health, investors should take into account factors such as: (i) the number of citations and orders will vary depending on the size of a coal mine, (ii) the number of citations issued will vary from inspector to inspector and mine to mine, and (iii) citations and orders can be contested and appealed, and in that process are often reduced in severity and amount, and are sometimes dismissed.

 

Item 6.            Exhibits.

 

The following is a list of exhibits filed as part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q:

 

Exhibit

 

Description

31.1

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of Paul A. Lang.

31.2

 

Rule 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a) Certification of John T. Drexler.

32.1

 

Section 1350 Certification of Paul A. Lang.

32.2

 

Section 1350 Certification of John T. Drexler.

101

 

Interactive Data File.

 

23



Table of Contents

 

Signatures

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Arch Western Resources, LLC

 

 

 

 

 

By:

 

 

John T. Drexler

 

 

Vice President

 

 

 

 

 

November 14, 2011

 

24


Exhibit 31.1

 

Certification

 

I, Paul A. Lang, certify that:

 

1.     I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Arch Western Resources, LLC;

 

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer(s)  and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)          Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)         Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)          Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)         Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.     The registrant’s other certifying officer(s)  and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)          All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)         Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Paul A. Lang

 

President

 

 

 

Date: November 14, 2011

 


Exhibit 31.2

 

Certification

 

I, John T. Drexler, certify that:

 

1.     I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Arch Western Resources, LLC;

 

2.     Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.     Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer(s)  and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

 

(a)          Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

(b)         Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

(c)          Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

 

(d)         Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.       The registrant’s other certifying officer(s)  and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

(a)          All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

 

(b)         Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

John T. Drexler

 

Vice President

 

Date: November 14, 2011

 


Exhibit 32.1

 

Certification of Periodic Financial Reports

 

I, Paul A. Lang, President of Arch Western Resources, LLC, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)   the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011 (the “Periodic Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

(2)   information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Arch Western Resources, LLC.

 

 

GRAPHIC

 

Paul A. Lang

 

President

 

 

 

Date: November 14, 2011

 


Exhibit 32.2

 

Certification of Periodic Financial Reports

 

I, John T. Drexler, Vice President of Arch Western Resources, LLC, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

 

(1)   the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended September 30, 2011 (the “Periodic Report”) which this statement accompanies fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (15 U.S.C. 78m or 78o(d)); and

 

(2)   information contained in the Periodic Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Arch Western Resources, LLC.

 

 

 

John T. Drexler

 

Vice President

 

Date: November 14, 2011